Loose-leaf-ledger binder.



PATENTBD JAN. 30, 1906,

J. GRAVES. LOOSE LEAF LEDG'ER BINDER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.16,1904

. ...wam Mn..

/NVE/VTOI? WU BYWQM ATTURNEY.

JOHN GRAVES, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

LoosE-Li-:AF-LEDGER smoes.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 30, 1906.

Application filed November 16.1904. Serial No. 232,915.

To a/ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN GRAVES, a citizen of the lUnited States, and aresident of Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State ofWisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inLoose-Leaf Ledger Binders and I do hereby declare that the following isa full, clear, and exact description thereof.

My invention relates to improvements in loose-leaf-ledger binders; andit consists of certain peculiarities of'construction and combination ofparts hereinafter set forth and subsequently claimed.

One of the essential features of my invention consists of a binder thatmay be locked, if desired, or left with a free motion to be readilyadjusted manually at the will of the operator.

Another essential feature of my device is that by mechanical means thebinder may be closed with a vise-like clasp upon the leaves of thebinder, the leverage being so great that the leaves may be held in thismanner without any other fastenings.

Another essential feature of my invention consists of equalizers placedat each end of the binder to cause it to open and close freely andwithout binding at the ends.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a top view. Fig. 2 is a sidesectional view of the operating mechanism with parts attached. Fig. 3 isacross-sectional view on lines X X of Fig. 4, and Eig. i is a top viewof the operating mechanism of my device.

Referring by letters to the figures, A is a casing constructed of ironor other ""suitable material and having ends a, said casing beingadapted to telescope an opposing casing B, the latter having similarends t. Permanently secured to the inner face of casings A and B areopposing frames D. Permanently secured to frames D are two longitudinalstrips O. Also secured to frames D are alternating posts E and E, thelatter being smaller lin diameter and adapted to telescope the former,which is in the form of a tube.v Extending longitudinally of said binderis a bar G, wh ich is pivotally att ached to strips C through strapsI-I, by means offastenings I and J, thus forming an equalizer to thecovers or casings of the binder. Pivotally attached to bar G is an armK, the latter having its free end pivotally attached to a rod N. RodN isprovided with bearings in a block P and Ratchet-teeth O are provided inthe side of rod N for engagement with a point S of dog S, the latterhaving an opposing point t and being pivotally secured to a slidingmember R by means of a pin T. Secured to sliding member R is a spring U,which exerts apressure on dog S, normally holding point S in contactwith teeth O.

The opposing end of sliding member R is provided with threads forengagement with a threaded shaft Q, by means of which the former may bereciprocated longitudinally of the binder. Said shaft is provided withbearings in block P at one end and bearings in block P at the opposingend, extending through the latter and being provided at said end withsuitable lugs W for engagement with a key V, used in operating mydevice. In block P, I provide a cut-out portion t', which is always inthe line of travel of point t and which serves to trip the dog S whencoming in contact with said point.

The operation of my device is as follows, to wit: Vhen desiring toinsert or extract a leaf from the ledger, turn the key V to the left,thus revolving shaft Q and forcing sliding member R in direction ofblock P, bringing point t in contact with cut out portion t', releasingdog S, and permitting-casings A and B to be actuated laterally at will.The ledgeris now in such condition that leaves may be added orabstracted therefrom at will. When it is desired to close the ledgermechanically or to close the same more firmly than could be donemanually, turn the key V to the right, which will cause sliding member Rto retrace its course, release dog S from cutout portion t', and causepoint S to contact with teeth O, holding rod N securely, actuating thelatter longitudinally, together with arm K, bar G, and straps I'I, thusclosing the ledger.

I-Iaving thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-u 1. In a loose-leaf-ledger binder, havingtelescoping casings and posts, equalizers to govern the lateral movementof the former, a rod pivotally connected to said equalizers, and havingratchet-teeth, a threaded shaft, a sliding member for engagement withthe late ter and carrying a dog which engages with said ratchet-teeth,and means for tripping said dog.

2. In combination a loose leaf ledger adapted to have a longitudinalmotion. i binder having telescoping casings and posts,

IOO

IIO

eualzers that govern the lateral movement o the former, a shaft, a rod,and having ratchet-teeth and means for actuating said equalizers throughsaid rod, a sliding member coacting with said shaft and carrying a dogwhich engages with said ratchet-teeth and means for tripping the latter.

3. In a loose-leafledger binder the combination with vcasings movabletoward and from each other, of equalizers attached to the latter and aratchet engagement between the casings coacting with said equalizers,the said ratchet engagement including a threaded shaft member, the saidthreaded shaft member adapted to give lateral movement to the casings.

4. In a loose-leaf-ledger binder, casings actuated laterally,equalizers, a bar pivotally attached to the latter, an arm Jforengagement with said bar, a ratchet engagement between said casingscoacting with said arm, the said ratchet engagement including a threadeding ratchet-teeth, a movable member and carrying a dog which engageswith said' ratchet-teeth, a threaded shaft coacting with said movablemember and means for releasing said dog from engagement with said rodwhereby said casings may be moved indee pendently of said threadedshaft.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand, atMilwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, in thepresence of two witnesses.

JOHN GRAVES.

IVitnesses:

LrviNGsTON A. THOMPSON, JOSEPH G. HiRscHBERG.

